Auction houses postpone sales in response to terrorist attacks

September 18, 2001byWilliam George Shuster

World renowned auction houses have postponed several sales out of respect for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on New York and Washington D.C. and the difficulties it has caused in the U.S.

Antiquorum, a world-leading auctioneer in horology, has postponed its New York watch auction, scheduled for September 20, “as an act of mourning and respect for the American people.” In its announcement on its website (antiquorum.com ), the Geneva, Switzerland, company says it is “appalled and dismayed by the tragedy that struck the United States on September 11.”

The auction is rescheduled for Wednesday, October 3. It will take place at the Grand Havana Room, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Sotheby’s of London has rescheduled some sales at its New York location. They include auctions in decorative works of art (now Sept. 17 – 19) and the Sept. 15 Asian Week sales of Indian, Southeast Asian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese works of art (now Oct. 11 – 17). See Sotheby.com for more information.

Christies, citing “continuing uncertainty about air travel to the United States and telecommunications difficulties in the aftermath of recent events in New York City,” announced on its website (Christies.com) that it has revised the date for 14 of it U.S. sales. They include the antique and fine jewelry sale at its 67th St, New York location (changed to Sept. 26); and Chinese ceramics and fine art sale, at its Rockefeller Plaza, New York, location (now, Oct. 16).